IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A congressman from Iowa violated House ethics rules by failing to disclose his ownership role in a new company, a mysterious outfit that featured his top federal staffer in a false testimonial promoting its services, an Associated Press review shows. Rep. Rod Blum was one of two directors of the Tin Moon Corp. when the internet marketing company was incorporated in May 2016, as the Republican was serving his first term, a business filing shows. Among other services, Tin Moon promises to help companies cited for federal food and drug safety violations bury their Food and Drug Administration warning letters below positive internet search results. Democratic candidates running to unseat Blum and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee seized on AP's findings to attack him for what they called serious ethical lapses and demanded a House investigation. Blum said in a statement Wednesday evening that he made an "oversight" in failing to disclose his … [Read more...] about APNewsBreak: Iowa congressman failed to disclose new company

Scripps Florida, the research institute that began operating in Jupiter about a decade ago, is finally making headway in spinning off or internally growing companies that are developing new drugs.That should help finance continued research at Scripps, whose 2017 revenues bounced up again after declining from 2015-2016, and to retain the approximately 500 employees that work for the institute in Jupiter, top executives say.Following the spinoff earlier this month of Expansion Therapeutics, Scripps’ executives Doug Bingham and Matthew Tremblay told the Sun Sentinel that there is at least one more deal as large as Expansion’s $55 million venture capital draw, as well as more development of drugs and companies in-house on the way.Expansion Therapeutics, which has been Scripps’ largest spinoff since the South Florida institute was founded, is producing a drug for patients with muscular dystrophy — and the technology has the potential to address other diseases as … [Read more...] about Scripps Florida making headway with new companies and potential drugs

Elon Musk asked his Twitter followers for Tesla feedback Tuesday, saying he wants to know how the auto and power company "can improve further."Musk often — especially compared with most chief executives — responds to questions and comments on Twitter. Whether it is to explain upcoming Tesla software changes, to take feedback on elements of design or even to combat critics, Musk is accustomed to responding to his mass following online.His responses Tuesday ranged from matter-of-fact explanations to jokes about SpaceX launches. Musk responded to one user that the Falcon 9 launch seen by millions in the sky above Los Angeles on Friday "was definitely aliens."More than 13,000 replies to Musk flooded in with suggestions for changes, upgrades and new features. The CEO personally responded to a dozen of them, giving a look into what is to come from the all-electric company. More: Elon Musk promises to make a Tesla pickup truck, said he is 'dying to build' one More: … [Read more...] about Elon Musk promises new features and upgrades are coming to Tesla

WASHINGTON — President Trump promised "additional major sanctions" against North Korea on Wednesday in response to the communist regime's latest provocative missile test."Just spoke to President XI JINPING of China concerning the provocative actions of North Korea," Trump wrote on Twitter. "Additional major sanctions will be imposed on North Korea today. This situation will be handled!"Trump also talked to leaders in Japan and South Korea since the North Korean test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile potentially capable of reaching most of the U.S. mainland. But China is North Korea's main trading partner and the most important player when it comes to exerting economic leverage on the rogue regime. Trump didn't immediately say who would be imposing the sanctions, or what they would entail. The United States has already restricted trade, frozen assets and banned travel to and from North Korea.White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah declined to … [Read more...] about Trump promises new North Korea sanctions after latest missile test

Google is looking for the Fountain of Youth in its latest expansion beyond Internet search. The ambitious quest to reverse the aging process and extend human life will be pursued by a new company called Calico that is being financed by Google Inc., which has amassed a $54 billion stockpile primarily through its dominance of Internet search and online advertising. Calico will be run by former Google board member Arthur Levinson, best known as the ex-CEO of biotechnology pioneer Genentech. Levinson resigned from Google's board nearly four years ago after the U.S. Federal Trade Commission opened an investigation into whether his overlapping role on Apple Inc.'s board created conflicts of interest that might lessen competition between rivals. Levinson will remain chairman at Apple and Genentech while he runs Calico. Google isn't disclosing how much money it will pour into Calico, but CEO Larry Page indicated Wednesday that it won't be a major commitment. The comments are an … [Read more...] about Google funds new company, Calico, to tackle aging, disease prevention

Every day, 91 Americans die from an opioid overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationwide, physicians and legislators are ramping up efforts to stem the escalating heroin and prescription opioid addiction crisis.Gov. Chris Christie recently signed a bill requiring insurance companies to cover up to six months of inpatient and outpatient treatment for drug addiction and limit an opioid prescription to a five-day supply to strengthen efforts to prevent drugs from reaching children and other vulnerable populations.Treatment methods, however, vary in efficacy — complicating the efforts of people with opioid use disorder to sustain recovery. Rutgers Today spoke to Petros Levounis, professor and chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and a member of the board of directors at the American Society of Addiction Medicine, about recent advancements in opioid treatment delivery methods and the most effective combination … [Read more...] about Promising new treatment delivery methods for opioid addiction

WASHINGTON — President Obama Tuesday mocked insurance-industry foes of his proposed government-run health plan option, saying free-market boosters should not be afraid of competition. "If the free market’s so great, and the government’s so bad, insurance companies won’t have any trouble competing with a public health plan," President Obama said today, mocking claims of reform opponents. Many Republicans and some Democrats argue that a government-run insurance alternative, as Obama wants, could undercut private insurers and put them out of business. And that, they say, would ultimately lead to just one, government-controlled health care system — a scenario that the President ripped during his White House news conference as “not logical.” “If private insurers say that the marketplace provides the best-quality health care, if they tell us that they're offering a good deal, then why is it that the government, which they say … [Read more...] about President Obama mocks private insurance companies; promises new health plan will not break the bank

The ferry company that takes tourists to a symbol of imprisonment now takes visitors to an icon of freedom: The Statue of Liberty.For more than a half century, Circle Line has run the lucrative ferry service to Liberty and Ellis Islands in New York Harbor. Last June, the National Park Service chose Statue Cruises LLC, a subsidiary of Hornblower Yachts, which runs ferries to the former Alcatraz Island prison near San Francisco, to succeed Circle Line. Statue Cruises spokeswoman Tegan Firth said the company made 15 round trips Tueday and was projecting up to 4,000 visitors on its first day of operation. "Most of the boats were going out full despite the stormy weather," she said. The company has promised to reduce wait times, offer amenities such as multimedia presentations and organic food, and produce less pollution. Round-trip tickets to both islands cost $12 for adults and $5 for children. Join the Conversation: … [Read more...] about New company to ferry Liberty route